Battery terminal clamp



March 13, 1928. I 1,662,346

R. B. STEWART BATTERY TERMINAL CLAMP Filed Nov. 19, 1925 INVENTOR 12.5. Stewart u.&3:;

ATTORNEY Patented Mar. 13, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

BATTERY TERMINAL CLAMP.

Application filed Rcvember 19, 1925. Serial No. 70,009.

This invention relates to improvements in the clamps by means of which the current conducting cables are removably connected to the terminal posts of storage batteries of the character commonly used on motor vehicles and the like.

The common form of clamp now generally used is so constructed that when the clamp is once in place, and the inevitable corrosion has set in, it is almost impossible to remove the clamp from the post without straining and damaging the clamp, or the post and interior parts of the battery connected to the post, as is well known to those n the business. 4

The principal object of my inventlon therefore, is to provide a clamp for the purpose of such nature that it may be very quickly and easily applied to the battery post so as to have a firm grip thereabout; while at the same time the clamp may be easily removed from the post, no matter how badly the parts may be corroded, without having to twist or pry u on the clamp, and hence without any possi ility of damaging the posts.

Another object of the invention is to produce a simple and inexpensive device and yet one which will be exceedingly effective for the purpose for which itis designed.

These objects I accomplish .by means of suchstructure and relative arrangement of parts as will fully appear by a perusal of the following specification and claim. Y

On the drawings similar characters of.

reference indicate corresponding parts in the several views:

Fig. l is a top plan view of my improved clamp.

Fig. 2 is a similar viewof the clamp 1n section.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation ofthe device.

Fig. 4 is a cross section of the clamp on the line 4-4: of Fig. 3.

Referring now more particularly to the characters of reference on the drawings, the numeral 1 denotes a stem having at one end an ofiset clamping jaw 2, whose interior contour is curved to fit a battery post and is tapered if necessary from top to bottom to conform to the taper usually found on such posts.

The stem adjacent the jaw is preferably rectangular or at least flattened on one side, while its outer portion is threaded as at 3.

Slidable but nonturnable on the flat portion of the stem is a sleeve 4, whose base 4 is symmetrical with but preferably has a very free fit about the stem, so that the likelihood of the stem binding in the sleeve with corrosion is remote. On its inner end the sleeve carries an offset clamp jaw member 5, facing the jaw 2 and of a shape to cooperate therewith to substantially surround a battery post. Screwed on the threaded portion of the stem outwardly of the sleeve is a nut 6, while outwardly of the nut and in spaced relation thereto a socket member 7 to receive one end of a cable, is mounted on the stem. The jaws .and sleeve have a greater depth below the stem than above the same, as shown in Fig. 3, so that if the jaws and sleeve are resting on the top of the bat tery about the stem, the nut, will be clear of the battery so as not to interfere with the turning of he same. In applying the clamp about a post, the nut is retracted sufficiently to enable the jaws to pass easily over the post. The nut is then cinched up, which Wlll cause the opposed jaws to be firmly clamped about the posts. v

I To remove the clamp, the nut is loosened. If the parts are not corroded, the jaws may be instantly lifted from the post. If corrosion has set in, so as to cause the jaws to freeze about the post, or so that the stem tends to bind in the sleeve, it is only necessary to tap the nut toward the sleeve without of course turning the nut, in order to release the parts from each other.

From the foregoing description it will be readily seen that I have produced such a device as substantially fulfills the object of the invention as set forth herein.

While this specification sets forth in detail the present and preferred construction of the device, still in practice such deviations from such detail may be resorted to as do not form a departure from the spirit of the invention, as defined by the appended claim.

Having thus described my inventiomwhat I claim as new and useful and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

are about a post with the lower edges resting adjacent the upper surface of the battery the sleeve will remain raised from such surface to permit of ready manipulation of the nut.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

ROMAIN E B. S EWART. 

